Winter testing continued to shape early preparations for the 2026 WorldSBK season as teams wrapped up two productive days of running at Jerez. The next phase of testing will return to the same venue in January 2026, followed by sessions at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. Press: WorldSBK

Lowes Sets the Benchmark:

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) topped timesheets with a 1’37.824, a lap comparable to his race pace from the 2025 Spanish Round. Strong afternoon track evolution helped him set the fastest overall time on his 45th lap.Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha) continued his impressive adaptation to the Yamaha R1, securing second place just 0.234s behind Lowes after another highly encouraging day of progress. Michael van der Mark (BMW) completed 72 laps on his way to third place with a 1’38.125.Yamaha and BMW Push Through Testing Plans:

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) evaluated a revised swingarm and worked with a second test bike, concluding the day in fourth place, 0.311s from the top.The ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team pairing of Danilo Petrucci and Miguel Oliveira followed a structured testing programme alongside new technical staff, including crew chief Andrew Pitt. Petrucci finished fifth, while Oliveira completed 73 laps to take eighth.Progress for Bassani and Manzi:

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) finished sixth on his first test day working with new crew chief Uri Pallares, recently arrived from Yamaha. The team ran new parts and settings throughout the session.Stefano Manzi (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completed a productive day, placing seventh as he continued adapting to the Yamaha R1.

Honda HRC Builds Foundations:Honda HRC used the day for familiarisation work with Somkiat Chantra and Jake Dixon, who completed more than 120 laps combined. Dixon experienced two harmless off-track excursions at Turn 2 and Turn 5. Chantra ended the day in tenth, with Dixon in 12th.

WorldSSP: Alcoba on Top:

In WorldSSP running, Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) set the fastest time with a 1’42.167, concluding a strong day for the Spaniard.

Final SBK Results Overview
1st: Alex Lowes – 1’37.824
2nd: Xavi Vierge – +0.234s
3rd: Michael van der Mark – 1’38.125
4th: Andrea Locatelli – +0.311s
5th: Danilo Petrucci
6th: Axel Bassani
7th: Stefano Manzi
8th: Miguel Oliveira
10th: Somkiat Chantra
WorldSSP Leader: Jeremy Alcoba – 1’42.167

Share this article